It’s time to make hay while the sun shines this winter to soak up the best of Rajasthan. We present to you an interesting tour of 5 cities, with each city having its own distinctive flavour which you will love to explore. Come, take a tour:
Jaipur-Make Pink City your Starting Point
About 4 hours drive from Delhi, the city of Jaipur is a unique combination of the modern and the ancient, of kings and software czars, of gleaming malls and resplendent palaces. Indeed, it’s this often heady and sometimes puzzling mix that the visitor to Jaipur will discover.
There is not one Jaipur, but two cities that reflect the vivacious blend of the new and the old. Behind the city walls, you will find the original, planned heritage city that dates to 18 CE. Outside those walls is the Jaipur of 21 CE, with spanking new multi-storeyed buildings, shopping malls, call centres and fast-moving traffic.
Ajmer: The Second Stopover
The drive from Jaipur to Ajmer may not be your typical scenic journey but be rest assured that it is going to be an interesting one. Ajmer is one place which is defined by faith and history and its closest association is with Dargah Sharif, the resting place of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Photo by Shaane Khan
We recommend you to also visit the holy town of Pushkar as it is almost an hour’s drive from Ajmer. The Pushkar Lake is the cynosure–in the town, on the religious map and in the visitor’s itinerary.
From Jaipur: Taxis from Jaipur charge around INR 800 to INR 1,000 and there are buses from Sindhi Camp Bus Terminal for Ajmer.
Jodhpur: The Third Abode
Jodhpur is Rajasthan’s second largest city. The Old City that lends it the name Blue City is to the north, around the Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most famous places to visit in Jodhpur.
Even though Jodhpur can be covered in two to three days in a leisurely manner, you can visit the major attractions in the city in a single day as well.
Jaisalmer: The Fourth Pick
Nobody can be immune to the charms of Jaisalmer. The very first glimpse of the golden Jaisalmer Fort, occupying the place of pride in the sandy landscape, is mesmerising.
Jaisalmer is a small, walkable town and the fort, built on a small hill called Trikuta, is its essence. The neutral colours of the desertscape and the radiance of the traditional lives are the highlights of Jaisalmer.
From Jodhpur: It takes around 5 hours from Jodhpur to reach Jaisalmer by road and you can opt for a bus or taxi ride depending on your budget and preference. Taxi charges vary during peak seasons and normally, the regular fare is about INR 3,000 to INR 4,000. As for the train options, there are a number of trains from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer including the most famous Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Express.
Bikaner: The Last One!
The historic town of Bikaner has been largely ignored by the average traveller, despite its splendid havelis and palaces. It’s a town known less for its architectural splendours–though these are truly marvellous, and more for its savouries. Bikaneri bhujia has become an exportable commodity in recent years. Yet, this town could be one of your finest finds if you are interested in the romance of heritage and like your destination less trodden.
Some of the famous local attractions here are Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Junagarh Fort Museum, grand havelis and temples. With so much to explore, a trip to Bikaner can be one of your 10 reasons to visit Rajasthan.
From Jaisalmer: Opt for a private cab if you want a luxury ride for yourself. There are trains as well between the two cities.
Winter months are the best time to explore this beautiful state as you don’t have to worry about the scorching sun and heat waves. Take an interesting tour of these 5 cities of Rajasthan and take home exciting memories.
About the author:
Jigyasha loves to travel and read.
